WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 052109

In wildfire news today, training of some new crews involved in DC-10 air-tanker operations was conducted in Southern California's high desert this week; while the controversial new Aerial Fire Protection Program proposed by San Diego County supervisor Diane Jacob has been implemented. A small wildfire broke out in San Diego County yesterday and was quickly doused by CAL FIRE aircraft and crews; and a wildfire-fighting exercise between several fire agencies took place in San Luis Obispo, California, this past week. New Mexico fire authorities had a pleasant surprise in the form of a milder fire season so far this month; but officials at Lincoln National Forest are still restricting fire use due to the dryness there. National Guard units from several states participated in exercises with US Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and others in Colorado. Some details of the wildfires in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and parts of Wisconsin, including structural losses and evacuations, are provided by the next two articles. A small wildfire in Alaska drew the attention of firefighters on the ground and in the air. A small wildfire in New Brunswick forced Canadian drivers to take a detour. A 200-acre wildfire damaged some forested area in Bhutan in the Himalayas. Volunteer firefighters in New South Wales, Australia, are upset over possibile liability to civilian lawsuits following bushfires in 2003. A peek inside the Bushfire Rebuilding Expo going on in Whittlesea, Victoria, is provided in the next article. And finally, firefighters in San Ramon, California, rescued some fluffy young residents from a storm drain.

Getting ready for big drops

Supervisors secure additional aerial fire protection

BONSALL: Firefighters douse three-acre brush fire

Preparing for wildfires

First half of fire season mild

Forest still dry despite rain

Colorado Guard, USFS host multi-agency firefighting training

U.P. wildfire chars 700-plus acres, claims 33 structures

Firefighters battle forest fires in northern Wisconsin, U.P.

Kenai firefighters battle wildfire near correctional facility

Motorists asked to avoid route near New Brunswick forest fire

Lhakhang ravaged by forest fire

Volunteer firefighters betrayed by NSW Government

Home safety with a sprinkling of ingenuity

San Ramon firefighters rescue baby quails from storm drain